International Journal of CURRENT PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH

ISSN- 0975-1491

Vol 2, Issue 4, 2010

ResearchArticle

CHEMICALSTANDARDISATIONSTUDIESONVARATIKABHASMA

*DEVANATHAN.R,RAJALAKSHMI.PANDBRINDHA.P

*CentreforAdvancedResearchinIndianSystemofMedicine(CARISM),SASTRAUniversity,Thanjavur613401,Tamilnadu.
Email:deva.ayur@gmail.com
Received:25Jun2010,RevisedandAccepted:26July2010
ABSTRACT
Inthe present work VaratikaBhasma preparedfrom Varatika, which comesunder SadharanaRasavargaandalso under Sudhavarga asper
Rasa literature, is taken up and studied from Standardisation point of view. Varatika is the external shell of sea animal Cyprea moneta linn.
ChemicallyVaratikaisidentifiedasCarbonateofCalcium.
Varatika Bhasma was prepared as per standard classical methods. Chemically analysed at various stages of purification and the final product.
Analyses were carried out employing sophisticated instrumentation techniques such as XRD, Particle Size, FTIR and SEM. Physico chemical
standardsweredeterminedforboththesamples.Thedataoftheresultsofthepreparedsamplearediscussedinthispaper.
Keywords:

INTRODUCTION
Bhasmas are unique formulations belonging to Ayurveda a leading
and popular traditional Indian system of medicine. This group of
medicines can work even in smaller doses and may even control
incurablediseaseseffectively.
Bhasmasessentiallycontainmineralsandmetalsasintegralpartof
formulations and are used after adopting proper purification
process employing various purifying agents. Theses detoxification
processesremovethetoxicpotentialsfrommineralsandmetalsand
impartaveryhighgradetherapeuticefficacy.

mentionedinStandardAyurvedictexts.FreshKulatha(Horsegram)
was purchased from the market botanically identified as
MacrotylomauniflorumLambelongingtothefamilyFabaceaeandits
kashaya (decoction) was prepared for the purification process.
Fresh Aloe vera was collected and its juice was used for making
cakrikasorpelletstobeusedintheincinerationprocessofVaratika.
Geochemicalanalyseswerecarriedoutaspertheproceduresgiven
in TheTextbook of Mineralogy. Chemical analysis were carried out
employing modern sophisticated techniques such as FTIR, Particle
sizeanalyser,XRDandScanningElectronMicroscope(SEM).

It is very clear and evident from long history of usage of

herbomineral and metallic preparations in Ayurveda and Siddha
medical system that properly processed herbomineral preparation
can contribute significantly to the health care of the society. To
understand the science involved in the purification processes a
simplepreparationVaratikaBhasmawasselectedandstudied.
Varatika,iscategorisedunderSadharanaRasavarga1andalsounder
Sudhavarga by Rasa scholars. Varatika is identified as the external
shellofseaanimalCypreamonetalinn.Itoccursinthecoastalareas
of the sea. Cypraea moneta, commonly known as themoney cowry,
because the shells were historically widely used in
manyPacificandIndianOceancountriesasaformofexchange.

Chemically, Varatika is identified as Carbonate of Calcium . Since

ancient days Varatika is used for playing as well as for medicinal
purposes. Dharana (amulet) of Varatika is practiced for the
treatmentofBalagraha(viralinfectionsofchildren).

Fig1:RawVaratikaCypraeaMoneta

1.

RawVaratika

InthepresentpaperVaratikaBhasmawhosemainindicationsarein
Agnimandya (Loss of appetite), Parinamasula (Duodenal ulcer),
Grahani (Malabsorption syndrome), Rajayakshma (Tuberculosis),
Karnasrava (Ottorhoea), Netraroga (Diseases of the eye) and
Sukraksaya (Oligospermia) was prepared and studied from
standardizationpointofview.

2.

Kulathakashaya(HorsegramdecoctionforPurification)

3.

Kumari svarasa (Aloe vera juice for grinding during

incineration)

GrahyaVaratikaSalientfeaturesofAcceptablevariety:
TheVaratikawhichishavingyellowishtingeandhasnodulesonthe
back and oval in shape is praised as varatika or caracara3. This
Varatika is often recommended in the preparation of Varatika
Bhasma.
MATERIALSANDMETHODS
Varatika (Cowrie shells) were procured from Rawdrug shop of
Thanjavur market. The drug was purified as per the methods

IngredientsofVaratikaBhasma:

Dosage:250mg4
Anupana (Vehicle): Vasa svarasa (Adhatoda vasica juice), nimbu
svarasa (lemon juice), trikatu kashaya (decoction prepared with
equalquantityofPiperlongum,PipernigrumandZingiberofficinale).
PharmacologicalProperties5
Rasa(Taste)Katu(Pungent)
Guna(Property)Ushna(Hot)
Virya(Potency)Ushna(Hot)
Vipaka(Postdigestiveeffect)Katu(Pungent)

Devanathanetal.
IntJCurrPharmRes,Vol2,Issue4,1216
Karma (Action) Agnidipana (increases appetite), Pachana
(improves digestion), Vrishya (aphrodisiac), Netrya (Good for the
eyes)
PreparationofVaratikaBhasma
A.SodhanaMethodofpurification
VaratikaissubjectedtoSvedanainDolayantrawithkulathakashaya
for 1 yama (3 hours) 6. The observations made during sodhana
processaregiveninTableno1.
Dolayantra7isanearthenvesselwhichhastwoholesattheopposite
sides of its edge and filled with prescribed liquid. It has a rod
inserted through these holes across the mouth of the vessel. The
mineral substance undergoing the process of svedana, were tied in
topottali(bundle)andsuspendedwiththehelpofathreadintothe
liquid,sothatitiscompletelyimmersed.Theotherendofthethread
was tied to the rod. The pot is then kept on the stove and heated.
This instrument is called Dola yantra. Here the liquid used was
kulathakashaya(Horsegramdecoction).

Fig5:Varatika(afterpurification)
Table1:ObservationsmadeduringSodhanaprocesswith
Kulathakashaya
Sample
RawDrug
Purified

Colour
Yellowishwhite
Grayishwhite

Weight
500gm
457gm

Geochemicalproperties
The geochemical properties8 ofrawandpurified samplesare given
inTableNo2.
Table2:Geochemicalproperties
Slno Properties

Fig2:MacrotylomauniflorumLam(Horsegram)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

Raw

Chemicalcomp CaCO3
Colour
Yellowishwhite
Habit
Amorphous
Fracture
Conchoidal
Cleavage
Absent
Nature
Hard
Hardness
3.5
Streak
White
Lustre
Pearlylusture
Magnetic
Nonmagnetic
properties
Electricproperties Nonconductor

Purified
CaCO3
Grayishwhite
Amorphous
Conchoidal
Absent
Brittle
3.5
White
Pearlylusture
Nonmagnetic
Nonconductor

B.MethodofMaranaIncineration

Fig3:DolayantramethodofPurification

Fig4:Varatika(beforepurification)

ThekulathakashayatreatedVaratikawasdirectlyplacedin sarava
samputa (earthen plate), sealed with another earthen plate and
dried. After drying it was subjected to Gajaputa and the sarava
samputa was collected after cooling. Gajaputa9 means a pit which
measures one Rajahastha (about 30) in length, width and depth
wasmadeandcowdungcakesarefilleduptobrimofthispit.Then
properly sealed sarava samputa containing mineral drugs was
placedupontheheapofthecowdungcakesandhalfthenumberof
cow dungcakes werespread uponthe saravasamputaandthefire
was lit. The Varatika which became brittle were collected and
powdered. The powdered Varatika is given bhavana (trituration)
with 400 ml of kumari svarasa (Aloe vera juice) for 4 hours. Then
Cakrikas (pellets) were prepared and dried. After drying these
pelletsweresubjectedtosecondputa.Theprocesswasrepeatedfor
threetimes.Thirdtime,300ml of Kumarisvarasawasusedandit
was ground for 3 hours. After cooling white coloured Varatika
Bhasma was obtained10. Here bhavana refers to the process of
grindingthemineral drugsintheliquidslikejuicesordecoctionof
herbs,cowsmilk,urinesoranysuchspecifiedliquids.Thequantity
of liquid should be sufficient to immerse the mineral powder. The
grinding was continued, until liquid added dried up and semisolid
consistency was achieved. This makes on bhavana and the same
process was repeated. Observations made during Marana
(incineration)processareshowninTableNo3.

13

Devanathanetal.
IntJCurrPharmRes,Vol2,Issue4,1216
proved that the Bhasma prepared is of good quality fullfilling the
standardparametersrequired.

Table3:ObservationsmadeduringMarana(Incineration)
process
Puta

Quantity
ofHours
Svarasaused grinding

400ml
4hrs
300ml
3hrs

First
Second
Third

ofWeight
puta
441gm
288.6gm
226gm

Table4:Inorganicconstituents

after
Sl.
No
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

Name
of
the
parameter
Ash(%)
OrganicCarbon(%)
TotalNitrogen(%)
TotalPhosphorus(%)
TotalPotassium(%)
TotalSodium(%)
TotalCalcium(%)
TotalMagnesium(%)
TotalSulphur(%)
TotalZinc(ppm)
TotalCopper(ppm)
TotalIron(ppm)
Total
Manganese
(ppm)
TotalBoron(ppm)
Total
Molybdenum
(ppm)

14.
15.

Fig6:VaratikaBhasma(Finalproduct)

Raw
Varatika
4.13
0.52
0.56
0.36
3.26
1.06
15.63
8.56
0.78
1.56
0.52
102.0
17.56

Varatika
bhasma
2.06
1.09
0.72
0.62
3.49
1.36
19.32
8.43
0.94
1.48
0.42
113.6
19.62

0.08
0.02

0.06
0.03

RESULTS

Table5:Organicconstituents

Chemicalanalysisofinitialandfinalproduct
Sl.
No
1.

TheChemicalAnalysisofInitialandFinalproductisshowninTable
No4&5.
Organolepticproperties

2.

Colour:DullWhiteFinePowder

3.
4.
5.
6.

Odour:Odourless
Taste:Tasteless
Solublity:SolubleinDiluteHcl

Nameofthe
parameter
TotalAlkaloids(mgkg
1)
TotalFlavonoids(mgkg
1)
Tanin(mgkg1)
Lignin(mgkg1)
Glycosides(mgkg1)
Serpentines(mgkg1)

Raw
Varatika
0.03

Varatika
bhasma
0.05

0.23

0.21

0.22
0.03
0.08
Nil

0.19
0.04
0.05
Nil

Physicochemicalevaluation

The physico chemical analysis showed Loss on drying 0. 6566 %,

pH10.30,Totalash96.5290%,WatersolubleAsh 3.8001and
Acid insoluble ash 1.2779. The parameters selected and studied

The Physico chemical evaluation of Varatika Bhasma is given in

TableNo6.

Table6:PhysicochemicalevaluationofVaratikabhasma
Sample
name

Colour

Odour

Taste

Varatika
bhasma

Dull white
fine
powder

Odourless

Tasteless

Solubility PH (1% Loss on

solution)
drying
(%)
Soluble in 10.30
0.6566
diluteHcl

Total ash
(%)

Water
soluble
ash(%)
3.8001

96.5290

Acid insoluble
ash(%)
1.2779

Table7:Preliminaryphytochemicalscreening
Sl.No

Reagents

1
2
3

Watershake
Picricacid
LeadAcetateSolution

4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

Reaction

FoamyLather
Yellow
White
colour
precipitatte
Acetic
anhydride
+ Darkgreen
Sulphuricacid
colour
Tin+ThionylChloride
Pinkcolour
Anthrone+Sulphuricacid
Greencolour
MgBits+Hcl
Magentacolour
10%NaoH
Yellowcolour
Conc.H2SO4
Redcolour
Alcoholic
Solution
of Pink
phloroglucinol+Hcl
colour
DragendroffsReagent
Reddish brown colour
precipitate

Results
Raw

Afterpurification

+
+

+
+

After first
puta

+
+

Finalproduct

+
+

14

Devanathanetal.

Intensity

IntJCurrPharmRes,Vol2,Issue4,1216

20

30

40

50

60

2-Theta
File: 2.raw - Type: 2Th/Th locked - Start: 20.000 - End: 60.000 - Step: 0.010 - Step time: 1. s - Temp.: 25 C (Room) - Time Started: 2015 s - 2-Theta: 20.000 - Theta: 10.000 - C

Fig:7ParticlesizeanalysisofrawVaratika

Intensity

Fig11:XraydiffractionanalysisofrawVaratika
(Cowrieshell)

Fig:8ParticlesizeanalysisofVaratikabhasma

20

TheaverageParticlesizeofRawVaratika(Cowrieshell)is11.62+/
5.56 and the average Particle size of final product (after putam)
9.69+/5.31.

30

40

50

60

2-Theta
File: 3.raw - Type: 2Th/Th locked - Start: 20.000 - End: 60.000 - Step: 0.010 - Step time: 0.5 s - Temp.: 25 C (Room) - Time Started: 2 s - 2-Theta: 20.000 - Theta: 10.000 - Chi:

Fig12:XrayDiffractionanalysisofVaratikabhasma
(Finalproduct)

73.6
73
72
71

706.49
3848.96

70

3443.50

69

861.30

68
67
66
65
%T

64
63
62
61
60
59
58

1479.36

57
55.9
4000.0

3600

3200

2800

2400

2000

1800
1600
cm-1

1400

1200

1000

800

600

450.0

Fig:9FTIRspectrumofrawVaratika
(Cowrieshell)

Fig:13SEMimage(x50000)ofrawVaratika

86.40
86.0
711.66

85.5
85.0
84.5
84.0
875.82

83.5
83.0
82.5
82.0
%T

3443.20

81.5
81.0
80.5
80.0
79.5
79.0
78.5
78.0
77.72
4000.0

1428.56

3600

3200

2800

2400

2000

1800
1600
cm-1

1400

1200

1000

Fig:10FTIRSpectrumoffinalproduct
(afterputam)

800

600

450.0

Fig:14SEMImage(x50000)ofVaratikabhasma
15

Devanathanetal.
IntJCurrPharmRes,Vol2,Issue4,1216
DISCUSSION
Varatika, a mineral drug of animal origin is used in Ayurvedic
therapeutics in many diseases. Varatika is included in compound
preparations also such as Lokanatharasa, Pravalapamritarasa,
Grahanikapatarasa etc. Varatika is the key ingredient in drugs
prescribedingastrointestinalsymptoms.
In the present work a standard preparation of varatika bhasma
was made and studied scientifically the significance of purification
and incineration processes involved in the preparation of this
herbomineralformulation.Standardswerealsodeterminedforthis
preparation as per Indian Pharmacopeia.Preparation was analysed
using sophisticated instruments like Particle size analyzer, FTIR,
SEMandXRD.
A comparison of the FTIR spectra of the raw and final product
indicates the changes occurred in the finger print region. The
qualitative tests performed on the raw and final product indicated
the presence of tannin and sugar groups.Particle size analysis
revealed the reduction tn particlesize due to various processes of
purification. SEM and XRD analysis further confirmed the
occurrenceofnanocrystallinecompoundsinthefinalproductthus
lightisthrownontheimportanceofpurificationprocess,roleofthe
purifyingagentswithscientificevidences
Chemical analysis of the raw as well as final product were carried
out and reported in Table No . The data of the results were
encouraging and were suggestive of formation of Coordination
complexes. Increase in the amount of organic constituents like
tanninsandflavoneswerenoticedwhichwereprovenantioxidants
and proven biologically active moieties. Increase in Carbon also
indicates the possibility of complex formations. A reduction in the
heavy metal content like copper and zinc is observed. All these
chemical observations depict that purifying agents play a vital role
in removing the toxicity by forming complexes with organic
compounds like flavones and tannins and also attains high
therapeuticefficacyduetothesepurifyingprocesses.
CONCLUSION
Presentstudyisundertakentoprovescientificallythesignificanceof
purifying processes of this Herbo Mineral Formulation VARATIKA
BHASMA.Followingconclusionswerearrivedat:

1. Purifying plant agents helps in the formation of coordination

complex. Nature of coordination complex formed can be
determinedonlyaftercarryingoutsomemorechemicalanalysis,
2. Particle size analysis indicates reduction in particle size, which
must be due to purification processes. SEM data also further
confirmedthis.
3. XRD pattern confirmed the formation of more crystalline
compound which is again due to the impact of various purification
andincinerationprocesses.
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Vagbhattacharya, Rasa Ratna Samuchaya, vignana Bodhini

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